4. ProceduresAll steps should be performed, when applicable. However, the steps need not be performed in the order given.

4.1. If the questioned writing is nonoriginal, continue with these procedures. If the questioned writing is original, go to Section 4.3 in this Guideline.

4.2. Determine whether or not the questioned writing has been reproduced with sufficient resolution for comparison purposes. If not, request the original or a better quality copy. If neither exists or is submitted, discontinue these procedures and report accordingly.

4.3. If the known writing is original, go to Section 4.5 in this Guideline. If the known writing is nonoriginal, continue with these procedures.

4.4. Determine whether or not the known writing has been reproduced with sufficient resolution for comparison purposes. If of sufficient resolution, continue with these procedures. If not of sufficient resolution, request the original, a better quality copy, or additional known writing. If none is submitted, discontinue and report accordingly.

4.6.1.Type of writing. If there is more than one type of writing within the questioned writing, separate the questioned writing into subsets of single types of writing.

4.6.2. Internal consistency. If there are inconsistencies within any one of the subsets created in Section 4.6.1 in this Guideline (e.g., suggestive of multiple writers, montage), divide the subsets into sub-subsets, each one of which is consistent.

4.6.3.Range of variation of the writing for each subset or sub-subset of the questioned writing created in Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2 in this Guideline.

4.7.1. Type of writing. If there is more than one type of writing within the known writing, separate the known writing into subsets of single types of writing

4.7.2. Internal consistency. If there are inconsistencies within any of the subsets created in Section 4.7.1 in this Guideline (e.g., multiple writers), which cannot be resolved, contact the contributor for authentication. If the inconsistency remains unresolved, stop the examination of the affected subsets. If appropriate, declare no conclusion.

4.7.3. Range of variation of the writing for each subset of the known writing created in Section 4.7.1 in this Guideline.

4.7.4. Presence or absence of identifying characteristics.

4.8. Conduct a side-by-side comparison of questioned writing and known writing:

4.8.1.Comparability. If the questioned writing and known writing are not comparable, discontinue comparison and request comparable known writing. If comparable known writing is made available, return to Section 4.3 in this Guideline. If comparable writing is not made available, discontinue the comparison and report accordingly.

4.8.2. Determine whether or not there are dissimilarities, absent characters, and/or similarities. Evaluate their significance individually and in combination.

4.8.3.Sufficient quantity. If questioned and/or known writing is not sufficient in quantity for an elimination or an identification, continue the comparison to the extent possible. When appropriate, request more known writing. If more known writing is made available, return to Section 4.3 in this Guideline.

4.9. Form an opinion using Reporting Conclusions in Section 5 in this Guideline.

Characteristic: A feature, quality, attribute, or property of writing.

Comparability: The questioned writing and known writing embody the same type of writing and character or character combinations. Other issues of comparability may include, but are not limited to, contemporaneousness of the questioned writing and the known writing, different writing instruments, and document format.

Dissimilarity: A characteristic not in common between two or more handwritten items but may fall within the range of variation of the writer.

Indications Did: A qualified opinion in which the evidence suggests that two or more handwritten items may have been written by the same person.

Indications Did Not: A qualified opinion in which the evidence suggests that two or more handwritten items may not have been written by the same person.

Item: An object or quantity of material on which a set of observations can be made.

Known: Of established origin.

Natural Writing: Any specimen of writing executed without an attempt to control or alter its usual quality of execution.

No Conclusion: No determination can be made as to whether or not two or more handwritten items were written by the same person.

Probably Did: A qualified opinion in which the evidence points rather strongly toward two or more handwritten items as having been written by the same person; however, this opinion falls short of the virtually certain degree of confidence.

Probably Did Not: A qualified opinion in which the evidence points rather strongly against two or more handwritten items as having been written by the same person; however, this opinion falls short of the virtually certain degree of confidence.